I have the same basic problem as the Riss researcher with my great grand parents, Henry Lotz and Geesche Mohn. There is a death notice in the local newspaper for Henry but no death certificate and no idea who his parents might be or where he came from other than the census which says "Holstein". Geesche has both a death certificate with her father's name and a death notice so there is some clue for her. What provides hope at this point is that I have found a prospective brother for Henry by just reading through the census one name at a time where Henry lived. I have searched the U. S. census and the ship passenger lists at NARA, California death index, death notices in local newspapers, etc. etc. If you are interested in the details of my search check either of the web links noted below. The places I've looked and the methods I've used. There might be some ideas. I have identified records that should add important details, but they are in California and I am in Virginia and I can't get anyone's attention in California to retrieve the records. This is a work in progress and there are likely to be some updates in the next week or two. This from my research and not from the stuff in California:-( Steve McLeod Broad Run, Virginia http://sdmbizlists.home.infionline.net/LotzGene.html http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~smcleod/LotzGene.html genealogy@broadrunit.com